Sunday, 11 June 2017

Recently, someone asked me, whether my life has gone the way I had planned it. I was at a loss for words. Hell of an irony, right? Considering as a writer, words are my bread and butter. That got me to thinking about my life, and especially the past few years, where I was able to amass a lifetime of lessons that I had not learned in the previous 40 years of my life.

Life has definitely not gone the way, I had planned it that much is true. As a young girl, my head was full of dreams of a house, with a white picket fence, kids running around, and a loving partner (you get the picture, I hope). These dreams were mostly fuelled by the numerous books and movies, I had read and seen. Of a rosy life, where things are just as they should be. Even after a painful breakup with my first boyfriend in college, I still carried those dreams in my head. Call me naive, call me dumb..but that was who I was. A few years later, I got married to someone I loved and thought finally those things will now become true. Don't think that I did not work hard towards getting those things. I worked my ass off. Things were equally rocky and smooth for nearly 14 years in the marriage. The house with a white picket fence was replaced by the dream of an apartment and children..well that is another story. My life partner and I were like two ships in the sea trying their best to sail together. The ships collided with each other, but soon drifted apart and thus it continued for the next 14 years. We were never able to dock together at the same port and thus things fell apart. Outwardly life looked calm and peaceful but we knew what storm was raging inside and breaking us apart. From my perspective, it was difficult to put my finger on one single thing that drove us apart. I got closure when certain facts came to light later on.Divorce..that word creates such big ripples that it drowns the person who is going through it. It puts a lot of fear in people's hearts. It is not just you, but your immediate family that is affected as well. It tore me apart, emotionally. It made me question a lot of things about myself, marriage and people in my life. All through this, I was never afraid. The only thing that scared me was that my family would have to face things because of the situation. I did what I felt was right at that time. I decided to tackle one day at a time and face it head on. Make each day count was my motto, and still is.It's been 1.5 years since my divorce and the journey from then to now has been the most fruitful period of my life. Here are some things I learnt from that journey. Hope they are of some help to you.1) Never lose focus of who you are and what you want from life. We have one life and it your job to make it the best2) Somedays will be bad, and it is ok to feel lost and sad. It is fine to cry and howl but never forget point 1. 3) People will come and go in life. Hold on to those that have held you up in your times of need and let go of people who were not there.4) People are nosy and will ask you questions. It is your life, you can refuse to answer those questions. If people are genuinely wanting to help you, ask for it. Do not let pride come in the way.5) When life looks bleak on some days, get into exercising. The serotonin rush will bring your perspective back.6) Stand on your own feet. Regardless of your family offering you financial support. it is important to have a livelihood. Keep your pride here.7) Get connected to people who enjoy the same passions as you do. 8) Go on dates, but do not settle for the first person who says "I love you". Dating sites are rife with people who want to use you.9) Have a strong set of friends who will rush to your help during emergencies.10) Do not compromise on the things you want from life. Just because you are divorced does not mean you are broken and unlovable. 11) You are human and can mistakes. It is the way the world works. No one is perfect. 12) Do not carry those mistakes on your shoulders and make a big deal about them. 13) Hate is useless. Focus that anger somewhere else and you will see the beauty in everything you aspire.14) You might not get closure, but forgiving the other person is the best way for you to break the shackles and be free.15) Memories of the past will keep coming back. Let those memories come but do not forget the now. Today is a new day, so live it.16) Be thankful for all the experiences you have gone through. It has moulded you into who you are today.17) Your parents and siblings will love you, always. Never forget that. Reciprocate your feelings and never forget that even though you are trying to move a mountain right now, they too have challenges.18) Laughter, nothing heals faster than that.19) Every day, keep some time aside for introspection and going inwards.20) Your happiness is in your hands. You can be happy exactly where you are, you just got to make that choice.21) Divorce will make you question yourself, your self-worth. Remember! marriage is a contract between two people. Just because it did not work out, it does not mean you are a failure. 22) Love will come in your life again. Choose wisely and be strong enough to walk away, if it is not what you want.23) Loneliness is a part of being divorced. Remember point no. 5, 7 & 8.24) Commit to being happy each day and doing exactly what is right for you. People will not understand and that is ok. They won't because they have never walked in your shoes.25) Learn to say No. You don't have to be mean about it, but you can refuse to do something that you do not wish to do, gently, but firmly.26) Do not badmouth your ex, even if he is doing it. Be true to who you are and let not the situation make you bitter.27) Do not judge yourself because others are judging you.28) You will find out who really wants to be in your life and who doesn't. It is a difficult realisation, but a good one. You will sever meaningless friendships and relationships.29) Don't act like a victim. You are not. Take back charge of your own life.30) Get professional help. Go for counselling and therapy. Your perspective about life will change.31) Things will get better. The harshness will lose its edge. You will be fine. Stay Happy! Stay Healthy!

Thursday, 25 May 2017

I have been missing from this space for nearly a year and a half, but hey! what to do, I was out living my life and learning valuable lessons along the way. I thought to share my life's lessons in a series of posts. Here's a list of 22 lessons that I've learnt in my journey from being a married woman to divorced woman, then single and now in a relationship person. Hope these help you look at life differently just as I have been able to.

Don't judge yourself by what you see in the mirror. A mirror is just glass and you are so much more than that.

Life's lesson 24

Offer what you can.Show up for people and support them. Love people when they need it, unconditionally and unselfishly.Even when you think you can't, be kind.Show up for people.Because you would want someone one to show up for you when you are hurting.

Life's Lesson 23

When you love someone for exactly who they are
You will find out how quickly they transform
and become the best and truest versions of themselves
For we all are looking to be understood, accepted and loved without bias,
for how we areThere is nothing more empowering than when we feel seen and appreciatedfor our own essence

Life's lesson 22

Your dance moves may not be like that of a Bollywood star, still get up and dance with abandon. I promise, making a fool of yourself is more fun than sitting alone at a party.

Life's lesson 21

Most people forget who they are and change their behaviour when someone treats them badly. They start behaving exactly like the other person.

Despite how people are, learn to hold your truth and be the unwavering person that you are. Let not someone's views and behaviour muddy your soul. Let not their judgements sully your beauty. It's a matter of changing your perception and you can rise above it all.

Life's lesson 20

Life doesn't come gift wrapped with a beautiful bow on top. There will be things that won't last forever. People will come in your life to help you learn about yourself, to show you who you can be and help you love yourself.

Some will walk a short distance while others will stay longer. Not everyone is going to stay forever. Even after you part, you need to keep walking and thank them for what they have given you.

Life's lesson 19

You don't have control over what others think about you. But you have control over how you decide to internalise their opinions.

The best thing is to leave them to their own judgement. Focus on what you want and if they can't understand it, let them walk away if they choose to.

Life's lesson 18

Being normal is not necessarily a virtue. It means you lack the courage to be different.

You were not born to be normal and mediocre. Stop being lukewarm. Discover your passion and you will breathe fire in everything you do.

Life's lesson 17

Of all the people, you talk the most to yourself than anyone else on this planet.

Remember to be kind and gentle with yourself.

Life's lesson 16

You are in charge of how you want to feel each day. Choose happiness and you will find life to be this beautiful and crazy ride.

Life's lesson 15

I don't care how much you like the soap. Never leave a public restroom smelling your fingers.

Life's lesson 15

Comparing your life with someone else to see whether your life is perfect is the most foolish thing you can ever do. Perfection is a man-made illusion. We are who we are and our life's journey is unique. It cannot be compared to anyone's life journey.

Life's lesson 14

When it comes to going after what you love, don't let anything stop you. Go for it as if your life depended on it. Only then would you not have any regrets in your life.

Life's lesson 13

Stop complaining about things that are not going fine in your life. Get up and change it in any small way that you can. So many people who slept yesterday, never woke up to see this beautiful day.

Be thankful that you are alive to experience deep feelings of love, sorrow and pain.

Life's lesson 12

Learn to take responsibility for your past and present. Believe me, the future will be taken care of. Owning up to past mistakes and accepting them will set you free. You will be free to choose who you are and can be every day.

Life's Lesson 11

People say life is a test and we are here to pass that test. I think life is just a series of situations where things come together for a time and then fall apart. Then things are together again and then fall apart.

Let the time of falling apart break you. Let the pain be a teacher that is asking you to look inwards. This difficult time will only help you to understand yourself better.

Don't run away and hide under covers. Lean into it, cause your growth will only happen when you lean into it and keep room for the grief, relief, pain and joy.

Life's lesson 10

Painful moments in our life change us. Use this opportunity to become stronger, braver and kinder but don't go and become someone you are not. Cry and scream if you want. Then dust yourself and move on.

Life's lesson 9

Sometimes, losing your cool and going ballistic is important to show ass%&£#@ that you mean business. Keep calm and carry on doesn't cut it out that time.

Life's lesson 8

If someone comes out of the restroom sweating, do not use that restroom.

Life's lesson 7

Some people are ass***** and there is nothing you can do to fix it. All you can do is (punch them in the face) take deep breaths and let karma take over.

Life's lesson 6

Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

Life's lesson 5

Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Nurture friendships.

Life's lesson 4

Use the nice sheets, burn the scented candles, use the pretty crockery. Don't keep it for a special occasion. You are alive and well. It is a special day.